To survey the technology and practice of image-guided radiotherapy for prostate cancer in the United Kingdom Methods: A pre-tested semi-structured online questionnaire was sent to NHS and private radiotherapy providers in the United Kingdom between March and April 2014. The survey was carried out on the Opinio© online platform.
There was a high survey response rate of 83%. There is widespread use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and advanced verification imaging modalities. Cone beam CT is the main verification imaging modality in radical prostate radiotherapy, used in 66% of UK centres. Fiducial markers in combination with imaging were used in 30% of centres. Over half the centres used a daily imaging schedule, with a day 1-3 followed by weekly frequency used less commonly. 26% of centres used daily cone beam CT.
There is widespread use of volumetric verification imaging with cone beam CT for prostate radiotherapy in the UK. There is no consensus on the optimal verification imaging schedule. Advances in knowledge: This survey provides an insight into contemporary UK practice of image-guided radiotherapy for prostate cancer, both in the NHS and private sector. It demonstrates the widespread use of cone beam CT imaging, and highlights the need for further research to optimize the practice.
The British journal of radiology. 2016 Jan 07 [Epub ahead of print]
Hemal Ariyaratne, Hayley Chesham, Roberto Alonzi
1 Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, United Kingdom, HA6 2RN., 2 Radiation Oncology Centres, 60 Wises Road, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia, 4558.